Msida barriers being removed after traffic jam

ct busuttil

Mar 4th 2011, 16:57

Perhaps the temporary barriers were too simplistic a solution, but it does make sense to stay on the right lane, up the ramp, only if you're going to Valletta. That's one row of traffic less to cross the flow. The wait at the traffic lights before proceeding towards Gzira is not long because the time allowed is generous. I think the best solution in a fly-over similar to Blata-l-Bajda.

John Gingell Littlejohn

Mar 3rd 2011, 17:37

Ara vera pajjiz tal biki ta!! For once we did one thing right and after we went left!!!!!

Daniel Camilleri

Mar 3rd 2011, 09:56

The only way to reduce traffic problems in Malta is to invest in flyovers........Why we are not doing it!! after building the mater dei we should kept spending the millions to build flyovers on every main traffic junction!!! we would have been already better by now !!! traffic-lights and roundabouts creates traffic jams, flyovers keep the traffic flowing!!

Tiziana Agius

Mar 3rd 2011, 09:30

Who said that Rue Dargens traffic should use the lights instead of that junction...seriously he is not aware how long it takes for the lights (leading to Rue Dargens to turn from red to green and how fast they go back to red). If they are closing the junction then they should change timing of the lights! ALSO, what is the probability that people coming from Valletta go back to Valletta?. Also when there is a policeman traffic in this junction is worse...when there is no control it is more fast!

bajada steve

Mar 3rd 2011, 06:59

jiena ma nafx kemm l awtoritajiet jifilhu joholqu konfuzjoni ghall xejn . is sibt li ghadda ghalqu nofs it triq li tghati ghall mini ta santa venera biex dan kollu inehhu ftit haxix hazin . il konsum ta fuel tall karozzi jitkellem wahdu u jitpaxxa u igawdi biss il gvern . kemm jigi nies fit trouble ghax jaslu tard dan ma jimporta lill hadd. kieku jidhol ftit melh fras lawtoritajiet dan kellu isir wara il hin jew bil lejl bhall ma isisr barra minn din ic chghaqa u igawdu biss il haddiema tal gvern. imma peress li kien se ibghti il gvern heqq le minflok jiddeciedi li jghamel il kontra ghad ditrement tal poplu bhall dejjem.

Janet Bayes

Mar 3rd 2011, 00:13

My goodness me. the number of people that have something to say about a small traffic jam!! If the people that complain on this blog could be most honest, I wouldn't mind placing a bet that most could admit truthfully to double parking somewhere, being a nuisance to someone elses journey at some time, or they have illegally parked, used their car to travel small distances, and generally been travelling around with their cars attached to their behinds.
These lovely islands are being ruined by the use of cars for non-essential travel. Public transport provision must be greatly improved, with the use of feet and legs, cycles and motor cycles being encouraged. The distances are small, and journeys are too long. not because the bus is stopped in the wrong place, or the roadworks have to be done - - - but because Joe Public needs to be surgically separated from his/her car.

M Cristiano

Mar 2nd 2011, 21:08

If there is a sign before the entrance to the lane stating 'VALLETTA ONLY' why did the drivers go through it expecting to go to Gzira direction??

Or is it the usual Maltese stupidity that ignore traffic signs completely, as usual, like STOP and GIVE WAY. if the sign was there they only have to blame themselves, and people should thank them for increasing congestion.

However a mention must go that as usual Traffic Management by police is zero.

albert zammit

Mar 2nd 2011, 21:04

May I ask why the local council wasn't informed? It's been years since the introduction of the councils and it is a shame that a matter like this should be left to the central govt to do. No wonder we're still behind in having the ideal town, village or hamlet.

anthony pace gouder

Mar 2nd 2011, 20:14

There are various SOLUTIONS to eliminate the presant problem of CONFLICTING traffic in this particular area.

The sole "dangerous' route is that of oncoming traffic from PIETA , northbound to Gzira/Sliema and St.Julians where any driver has to 'jockey' hoping AND PRAYING to 'make it' ,in that short stretch , ACROSS three lanes of 'mainstream traffic', even manouvering around or give way to BUSES LEAVING abrubtly the Corner EDGE Bus Stop!

Yes ,There is/are solutions for traffic to proceed, without stoppages, IN ALL DIRECTIONS,scrapping Traffic Lights completely !

All depends on how predisposed the Authorities and the Government are, counting on and considering the fact that the 'flooding problem' HERE has shamelessly been left unsolved for YEARS !

Surely with Consultants , Foreign Experts 'called in' and the usual Site Analysis ,Studies reports etc, and practical Tests as carried out AS SEEN to-day , God knows when the essential and SENSIBLE solution becomes Reality .

Claude Cremona Gabriele

Mar 2nd 2011, 19:56

we should have a bridge from the point to valletta (or ta'xbiex to valletta). Msida and rue d'argens would be spared heavy traffic.

vincent sammut

Mar 2nd 2011, 18:42

managment by crises and the major problem starts off at the old gas tanks roundabout what about some police force there

Michael Vella

Mar 2nd 2011, 18:24

Whovever came up with this brillient plan to solve a problem, that didn't really exist deserves a medal and a promotion. Well done for coming up with this innovative way of creating a problem out of nothing at all.

Louise Cuschieri

Mar 2nd 2011, 18:12

blasens.com mil-ghajn tal-hasselin sal-monument tal-haddiem domt 15mins f'is-2pm!!! ahseb u ara fir rush hour x'kien hemm!! lanqas irrid nimmagina...u min mitt karozza gejja mid direzzjoni tal-belt.....kemm minnhom jergaw jduru fid direzzjoni tal-belt....forsi 5???

P Caruana

Mar 2nd 2011, 17:39

Things are getting worse by the day as far as traffic management is concerned. I live in Msida and work in Valletta. Right now King Carnival really is the King of Malta. Valletta is also in a mess. But our roads are littered with boys in black/orange baseball caps playing around with a flourescent stick.....l-aqwa li TM u mhux ADT aktar....what's in a name!!! However a big thumbs up goes to the traffic police who do a much better job :-)

D. Martin

Mar 2nd 2011, 17:22

@ S. Pace:

Quote: "Now that the width of the road has been further restricted who is going to ensure that bus drivers refrain from stopping buses in the middle of the road to take up / alight passengers?" unquote.

You're right Sir.

This is an issue which has been neglected for years on end and seems no enforcement is in place (hope Arriva take note of this); little do some bus drivers realise the danger they expose other drivers with, when they (the bus drivers) persist in stopping in the middle of the road..

Joe M. Anastasi

Mar 2nd 2011, 17:20

That was one of the most nonsensical junctions. Thank goodness something was finally being done about it.

Why on earth remove it ?

All that is needed there is a solid concrete barrier , but the signage too needs to be updated.

Traffic to Rue D'Argens should never have to cross Regional road and Msida traffic. That is what causes jams, and accidents. Rue D'Argens traffic should use the lights just like all the rest.

I M Dingli

Mar 2nd 2011, 17:20

Ahjar jirrangaw dik il-pastazata ta triq li hemm quddiem is-showroom ta l'AUDI / VW milli noqodu nilaghbu bil-lego!!

anthony pace gouder

Mar 2nd 2011, 17:01

Maybe finally a FLY-OVER or a VIADUCT for Regional Road and Rue d'Argens is being considered ! ?

paul baldacchino

Mar 2nd 2011, 16:44

Peress li jiena mill-Imsida u nuza din l-area spiss, nahseb li ikun utili li nresaq tlett punti. 1) Dan il-lane ghandhu jitnehha u it-traffic li gej min naha tal-Belt jaghddi mit-traffic lights u jinfired fi tlett direzzjonijiet li huma lejn regional road, lejn Rue Dargens jew lura lejn il-Belt. 2) Il-barrikati li saru ma jistghux isiru permanenti ghax inkella jigi ostakolat id-dhul ghal parking area hdejn il-monument tal-haddiem. 3) Dwar it-traffic lights dawn qeghdin ahjar milli kienu qabel quddiem il-kazin tal-banda, ghaliex kien jigri li meta il-lights jaqleb ahdar kien perikoluz ferm li taqsam ghax tista tisfa mtajjar peress li l-karozzi jkunu fuq il-first gear biex jitilghu it-tela. Irrid infakkar li f'dan il-post kienet tilfet hajjita persuna anzjana propju ghaliex ma lahqetx taqsam it-triq.

Joseph Vella

Mar 2nd 2011, 16:40

Having to use this road frequently, i cannot understand why motorists coming from Valletta need this new traffic arrangement to go back to Valletta, in the meantime causing a traffic jam all day long instead of during rush hour, usually between 08.00am and 09.00 and 1700hrs and max. 1930.hrs

A. Vassallo

Mar 2nd 2011, 16:37

I agree with Patrick Zammit that the traffic problems are mainly caused by the pelican/traffic lights in Rue D'Argens just a few metres away from the police station. These must be removed or else make them operate simultaneously with the main ones near the Bocci Club. What happens is that every time the main traffic lights are green and the pelican/traffic lights are red, than traffic congestion starts. Transport Malta please note.

Paul Borg

Mar 2nd 2011, 16:08

I was there twice this morning, and while it might be true that there was a bit of confusion, it seems to be a good Idea for safety reasons, and to have quicker access heading to Valletta. This particular lane was causing too many problems with drivers heading to rue d'argent often had to give way to carriageway users and causing a blockage.
A) The Local Council should have been informed first and foremost.
B) The lights which give way to the right, should now be removed.
C) The Pedestrian crossing at the foot of Rue d'argens should be moved 50 meters further up and replaced with properly timed lights.
D) an uninterrupted double line should be drawn from the exit of regional road all the way to the bust stop,so as to avoid converging traffic. Buses would be able to cross over to the Bus Bay by means of a sign.

Carmel Camenzuli

Mar 2nd 2011, 15:55

Nixtieq naf minn hu dal proxxmu li ivvinta li jaghlaq dak il- lane.Minn ikun gej mill-Belt mhux ha jaddi minn hemm biex jerga imur minn fejn gie, mhux hekk? AHNA OK JEW? Dawk il- karozzi kollha li jduru lej Rue D'Argen's issa gew iridu jghaddu kollha mill-lights u kawza t'hekk biex tigi mill l-belt sa l-Imsida(ghax jien hemm nahdem) tiehu 1/2 siegha. AHNA OK JEW? Jista xi hadd jajdlna r-raguni ghala sar hekk please?

Alex Azzopardi

Mar 2nd 2011, 15:50

Proset . F'l-ahhar wahda mill-lanes l'aktar perikoluza u stramba giet irrangata. Alla jaf kemm ikunu ha jahbtu, jew habtu vetturi hemm. Hafna minn nies igergru ghax kienu jsibu komda triq li tevita l- lights. u tintuza bhal shotcut ghal-Gzira minghajr ma jaghtu kas li qed joholqu nkonvenjenza ghal-vetturi li jkunu fil-lane propja.
Perswas li sa ftit jiem ohra dawn li qed igergru , jirrealizzaw li kif giet it-triq tkun hafna ahjar hekk b'inqas periklu u tfixkil.
Proset u keep it up forsi hafna sewwieqa jibdew jirrealizzaw li mghmiex wahedhom isuqu fit-toroq ta Malta u bhalhom haw nies ohra bl-istess dritt !!!!

J. Bonnici

Mar 2nd 2011, 15:46

I for one totally agree with closing traffic access to Rue D'Argens from the lane around the Bocci club. Traffic which used that lane had to cross two lanes before driving to Rue D'Argens. It was a very dangerous maneuver which also stooped the traffic flow. Well done to the authorities. That lane was intended for cars going back to Pieta for whatever reason and not for cars to avoid the traffic lights and create danger for the flow of traffic. There should be no problem if we keep it in mind that traffic proceeding to Rue D'Argens should not use that lane and traffic will flow easy. A sign before this lane is a must and if there was some advert on TV and the papers it would have helped immensely.

G Caruana

Mar 2nd 2011, 15:43

Those barriers appear to be leaking water. Should they be empty, they'll float away at the next downpour, and clog the drains.

S. Pace

Mar 2nd 2011, 15:42

Now that the width of the road has been further restricted who is going to ensure that bus drivers refrain from stopping buses in the middle of the road to take up / alight passengers?

John Gingell Littlejohn

Mar 2nd 2011, 15:09

WELL DONE......ABOUT TIME TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

George Muscat

Mar 2nd 2011, 15:01

From 7am till now the traffic jam is from Pieta till the Msida traffic lights. The biggest flow of cars is mainly coming from Valletta, therefore the closure of this said road leading to Valletta is creating a great choas. Malta transport should tell us who is this great professor who imposed this closure. MT or mostly known ADT is worsening in all its departments.

L.Navarro

Mar 2nd 2011, 15:00

Some comments are saying that ppl turning from that lane were causing traffic jams, so why is the traffic jam much worse now??? And when Msida floods??? Which is not once in a blue moon! You only have one option, drive through the flood and risk stopping there. If the person who decided this, fixed the flooding problem first then maybe we could of congratulated him but as it is, it just a complete joke!

Ganni Ellul

Mar 2nd 2011, 14:48

What I would like is the following. (2)
Double parking in front of shops is a daily continous occurance, where are the law enforcers? also some shop keepers are leaveing rubbish outside at night and garbage bags left here and there at the top of the road, so iether the local council is not doing it's job in supervising the rubbish collection of the wardens aren't doing thier job in enforcing the law, it is to be noted that the garbage collection truck does not pass through the upper part of the road, but turns towards Marsa Scala at the junction with triq il Barumbara.

Ganni Ellul

Mar 2nd 2011, 14:44

What I would like is the following. (1)
Who authorised the closure of a lane in Malrsa, at the back of the former HSBA bank yesterday at arounf 5 pm, for the placeing of a bill board, there was a crane and a large lorry.This area is usually crawling with traffic police, so it must have been blessed with an authorisation or the traffic police are only too happy to book driver os small cars rather then a contractor.This is being said with all responsability, and those drivers who like me cross through Marsa know only too well what I am saying.Another point is why is it that if you stop to answer a mobile call near the Xintill roundabout at Tarxien you are booked and at the same time you can stop and buy vegitables, donuts, and sometimes even flowers from the roundabout near the Hompesh arch between Fgura and Zabbar , even wardens have been seen parked there.Then tehere is the parking in the Marsa scala By pass, where MEPA has allowed about 10 new shops to open and the demi Gods at Transport Malta reduced parking spaces , all withen a matter of a few months,

nathan caruana

Mar 2nd 2011, 14:36

An other thing... who will be passing from there to go to valletta if that road is for people coming out of valletta ... if someone is going to say for people coming from imsida... or hamrun or whatever then the should pass through pieta... st lukes hospital .. down to sa maison. So the problem is that that road was really built for what everybody is doing now and nothing else!

nathan caruana

Mar 2nd 2011, 14:23

How about if someone calculates the time that is spent on the traffic lights turning around to go to sliema/gzira.... it will take you a good 3 mins waiting and the all it will give you is maby 30 seconds to cut across before turing red again!! so yess everyone uses the 'shortcut' to go to sliema/gzira because its is much quicker and less of a hassle.

Anthony Pule'

Mar 2nd 2011, 14:23

prosit tassew....mela bdejna bit-traffic lights fil bidu ta rue d'argens....l-ewwel gennata...issa din ! le....min ivvinta dan id-detour nahseb ma jghix malta ! Dalghodu hadt 15 minutes min m'scala sa san maison...u 30 minutes min san maison sa l-ufficcju l-msida ! Min ghamila haqqu l-oscar ta l-imbeccillita' !

J Farrugia

Mar 2nd 2011, 14:14

Finally and at last the authorities have moved in where the motorists persisted in their arrogance of not giving space to those who wanted to change sides. God bless them for this step in the right direction. And now let's make it official by putting concrete kerbs instead of these temporary barriers.

Stephen Mangion

Mar 2nd 2011, 14:01

Yes causing a lot of inconvenience along the way!

J. Spiteri

Mar 2nd 2011, 14:00

So at last someone in authority realised that vehicles using this lane to proceed to Rue D'Argens were causing traffic jams, especially during the morning rush hour. Drivers used this lane to avoid stopping at the traffic lights,but then caused chaos when attempting to proceed to Rue D'Argens, causing a disruption to oncoming traffic. The next sensible step is to remove the zebra lights next to the police station, these being another cause to traffic jams. This is a one way road, so pelican lights should be enough. With regards to flood water, simply avoid driving through Msida after an occasional heavy downpour.

john williams

Mar 2nd 2011, 14:00

@ Liz Borg.. Naqbel mijak li bdin id decizzjoni it traffic zied, ghax jien adni kemm gej min hemm...

Imma sorry il brigde halli niftemu fejn issa qeda biss ghal belt, dik suppost min dejjem ta dejjem kienet intenzjonata ghalhekk. Izda xgara bhalla drivers Maltin hadna rigni fidejna u kullhadd juza din it triq bix jmur lejn sliema u gzira....

Hemmhekk hemm solid line jigifiri suppost hadd ma jikser ghas sliema. Ghaliex tahseb inqala dan it traffic kollu mux ax kullhadd prova jaddi min hemm u spiccaw rridu jduru.

john williams

Mar 2nd 2011, 13:54

Well done to whom came this idea!!!! that brigde should only be used to go to valletta and not by drivers which use this lane instead of the traffic lights!!!!

It is so dangerous sometimes that a driver coming from the brigde to Rue D'Argens just expects to pass in-front of everyone and turns on the left, and increasing the traffic lights.!!!

But when it rains, there will be problems I hope that this issue will be tackled.

BUT TO ALL THOSE WHO WANT TO DO TO RUE D'ARGENS, FROM NOW ONWARDS KINDLY USE THE PROPER LANE!!!!!!

one suggestion regarding traffic lights, I think that all the traffic jam was due to the fact that the traffic lights turn green for just 10 secs, with the new modification it should be changed to 30 secs.

Albert Bezzina

Mar 2nd 2011, 13:53

The lane is supposed to be reserved for traffic going towards Valletta but has been persistently used by traffic wanting to bypass the traffic lights on the right lanes (meant for traffic intending to go up Rue D'Argens) and as a consequence vehicles crossed over three lanes causing slowing or traffic heading towards Valletta. This lane should be made permanently closed off BUT there should have been adequate information to motorists days in advance. If MT wants to make a difference to traffic flow they should remove the pelican lights at the beginning of Rue D'Argens which can be activated by pedestrians within seconds of having been used allowing only a few cars to pass at a time leading to tailbacks at the main Msida hub. The Bus stop in front of the PL Club should be placed further in towards the buildings and removing the parking slots in front of the said club. This bust stop should be only for Buses turning up to Rue D'Argens. A second bus stop for buses proceeding towards Valletta should be placed on the byroad between Police station and Church, adequately shifted to the left in place of the crash barrier.

Antoine Grech

Mar 2nd 2011, 13:52

Actually I never really understood why they did that lane. It's completely useless and all traffic should go through the traffic lights... otherwise what's the point of having that 'traffic lights' lane which turns towards Rue D'Argens?? The specific lane which was closed should only be used by traffic going around the Bocci club to go to Valletta. I really hate those who take this specific lane and than cross another 3 lanes, creating havoc in he process (many times without even an indicator!!), just to go to Rue D'Argens... Any traffic to Rue D'Argens should pass through the lights. I understand that it's not really ideal as we saw today... but that's the Maltese disgusting infrastructure and lack of planning. One wonders what qualifications the people responsible have!

M Xuereb

Mar 2nd 2011, 13:45

Typical of the police to do something without adequate notice through the media! I agree wholeheartedly with the new traffic arrangement - and about time too, I'd say! - but we've solved one problem and created another one that ,with basic foresight and the smallest amount of common sense, could easily have been avoided in the first place. So there they all were - cars going round the monument from direction Valletta/Ta Xbiex towards Rue d'Argens playing round-and-round-the garden. Bravi tassew!

M.v.Brockdorff

Mar 2nd 2011, 13:41

if that lane was intended for vehicles going to Valletta than YES this decision was right to make...cars crossing 3 or 2 lanes of traffic to go to Sliema where very prone to accidents and caused chaos and traffic as well. SO DO NOT GRUMBLE IF SOMEONE FORCES YOU TO USE THE ROADS AS THEY WHERE INTENDED TO!!

A. Grima

Mar 2nd 2011, 13:39

what are we going to do when Msida Lane is flooded with rain water...?!? are we going to get our dingy out? The flyover was the only way of escape to go pass through Rue d' Argens! Consider!!!

Giovanni Rizzo

Mar 2nd 2011, 13:39

Thanks to who was behind this idea.
It is less dangerous now, both to drivers and pedestrians alike.

James Fenech

Mar 2nd 2011, 13:38

Good one. About time to be closed. That lane was to be used only for those coming from Valletta to Msida and wants to go back to Valletta and not crossing 3 lanes to go to Rue D'Argens and causing more traffic especially in peak hours or might cause an accident.

S. Vella

Mar 2nd 2011, 13:37

I do not agree with this modification to the road. Since Msida gets flooded a lot during a rain, car owners would go through it to eliminated their cars to pass from the flood infront the the traffic lights. Owners having a petrol car will have the disadvantage that their car might stop because of the water.

Charles Mallia

Mar 2nd 2011, 13:31

It is about time that something is done to this area. The traffic in this part of the island is a nightmare especially with morning traffic due to people going to work. This lane is 'supposedly' (and i would bold, italicize as well as underline that) for people going to Valletta etc but somehow quite a number of wise guys drive this way to head towards Gzira/Sliema.
Driving in to work this morning was another hassle and as usual no one was advised. Please Mr Mayor, take note and do something about this

Liz Borg

Mar 2nd 2011, 13:29

I do not agree with the diversion, because it caused a whole lot of mayhem.

It took me 15 minutes to get from the monument to the get round the corner of the HSBC, slaloming through the cars due to the traffic congestion..

If the idea was to free up the lane to go to Valletta, it was the wrong lane to choose, because people already arriving from msida would not use that lane to go back to Valletta..they would either be coming from B'Kara or from University area, who would thereby be using the other two lanes.. The ripple effect of this was the long queue of cars as the lights which would allow a person coming in from Msida area to go up to Sliema/Msida (Rue D@argens), l-iktar li jdumu biex iduru, u l-inqas li jdumu bid dawl ahdar.

Jidher li minn gietu din l-idea ma juzax il lane l-iehor jew ried access malajar al Belt!!

Patrick Zammit

Mar 2nd 2011, 13:29

THE TRAFFIC PROBLEMS ARE MAINLY CAUSED BY THE TRAFFICE LIGHTS IN RUE D'ARGENS. THEY MUST BE REMOVED AS THEY ARE THE MAIN CAUSE FOR TRAFFICE JAMS!!

Ian Galea

Mar 2nd 2011, 13:28

About time!

S.Baldacchino

Mar 2nd 2011, 13:25

There is urgently needed a new road network in that area and a fly over bridge next to the old Gas tanks instead of that useless huge roundabout. That will get rid of the long traffic coming from the St. Julian's tunnels and vice versa. hope this will be taken into Consideration

Nadine Caruana

Mar 2nd 2011, 13:20

I think a policeman should stand somewhere before the Bocci Club as the traffice caused this morning was hell. People who are going to B'Kara and Msida Circus were still jammed as the lanes where all jammed as from 2 lanes you come to 4 lanes but still not enough space for them to pass. A policeman should help with the traffic somewhere around there !!

MICHAEL BRIMMER

Mar 2nd 2011, 13:18

Wahda nghid, li qabel kont naddi minna u nifranka l-ilmijiet u issa bilfors irrid dajsa biex nasal ghax xoghol !!

E Bonello

Mar 2nd 2011, 13:17

I hope the wise guy who came up with this brilliant ideal has learnt from his experiment and that the lane is opened tomorrow. It took me 35 more minutes....

Christopher Debattista

Mar 2nd 2011, 13:12

Is-soltu storja :/

Chris Xuereb

Mar 2nd 2011, 13:09

I was hoping for this! That lane should have never been open except for cars wanting to return to Valletta! Cars coming off the ramp wanting to cross to rue D' Argen just cut across without consideration for cars coming from B Kara and regional Road. The traffic jan was probably caused due to not informing the public and cars that took the ramp to cross to Rue D'Argen had to go round again.

J. Borg

Mar 2nd 2011, 13:03

I agree with the action taken....but as always 'Only In Malta" no notification on the meia about the closure of this lane to Rue d'Argens. As it was, it was very dangerous with trafic criss crossing.

Whils on traffic, action is need urgently near the independence monument in floiana.....as apart from the traffic congestion there also many people crossing the road to go to Valletta.

D Cardona

Mar 2nd 2011, 12:59

well done!

Joe Cordina

Mar 2nd 2011, 12:55

I congratulate the wise guy who came up with this idea.